The main performance-enhancing addition has been the fibreglass crocodile strapped to the roof.

“I’ve researched it and there’s no other car in the world with a croc on the roof,” he said. “I’m pretty happy about that.” Mr Arnold, 42, has called the croc “Cyril”.

“When Crocodile Dundee walked into the bar in the movie he handed someone his dummy croc and said ‘hold Cyril’,” he said.

The 60kg reptile was expertly painted by Mr Arnold’s protégé, Essington School Year 12 student Nakita Pollock, 17, from Marlow Lagoon. The NT bash, for cars older than 30 years, starts in Sydney on August 16 and finishes in Tennant Creek 10 days later. About 25 Territory cars are expected to join the 600-strong fleet.

Mr and Mrs Arnold hope to raise about $30,000 – all of which goes to the charity and not the car or the trip. “It’s about putting the fun back in fundraising,” Mr Arnold said.

They bought the car for $7000 from Alice Springs Bash team Bush Brides and he spent another $4000 – and ever spare hour since Christmas – restoring the croc car.

CLP cabinet minister John Elferink charged taxpayers more than $45,000 for a ‘study trip’ to the United States over the Christmas holidays, including visits to Cape Canaveral Space Base and Universal Studios.